Water conservation gets a shot in the arm in Rajasthan. Recently, the CWC (Central Water Commission), a subsidiary body of the Centre government, approved one of the biggest water-savvy projects in Rajasthan worth Rs 30,000 crores. Here, we’re talking about ERCP or Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project that aims at delivering water from Chambal River to major districts in Rajasthan. With the completion of the state government’s ambitious project, 13 parched districts in Rajasthan will receive clean drinking water for domestic use.
For those who don’t know, the ERCP was announced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Budget 2017-2018. The project was proposed to meet the drinking and irrigation requirements of Rajasthan villages.
According to Rajasthan government, the ERCP project is developed on the lines of the famous Indira Gandhi Canal in west Rajasthan. As we all know, River Chambal is the lifeline of Rajasthan desert. Excess water accumulated on its banks during monsoon season is lost due to evaporation. The project aims at utilizing the extra water near River Chambal by transferring it to the arid, thirsty regions of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan waterworks department has overcome a major hurdle in this direction. According to Chair Person Mr. Sriram Vedire (Rajasthan River Basin & Water Resources Planning department), the state had already requested Centre’s assistance in this project. Knowing that Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project holds great importance to the state, the CWC has given it a green signal. Now, the department looks forward to formulating ERCP detailed project report (DPR) in next few weeks.
The project will be completed in 3 steps. In the first phase, the government will cover the regions falling under Galwa Dam to Dholpur. The second and third phases will cover regions from Galwa to Bisalpur-Isarda and Galwa to Alwar respectively.
The Centre will fund the ERCP project, which comes as a major source of relief for the state government. Rajasthan districts that will be directly benefited from the project include:
- Kota,
- Bundi,
- Dholpur,
- Bharatpur,
- Sawai Madhopur,
- Karauli,
- Baran,
- Dausa,
- Alwar,
- Sikar,
- Jaipur,
- Jhalawar
- Tonk
With the construction of eastern Rajasthan canal, the water from Chambal River will be supplied to 10 lakh acres of agricultural land. It’ll provide a permanent solution to water scarcity prevailing in Rajasthan.
The department had conducted a ‘Radar feasibility survey’, as a part of DPR preparation. They’ve cleared the first step by getting CWC’s hydrology clearance. Once completed, the Easter Rajasthan Canal Project will not just create employment opportunities for youths, but also promote better growth prospects in Alwar district’s DMIC (Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor). A total win-win situation for Rajasthan!
